Sanitization device for groceries or other objects

ABSTRACT

A sanitizer using radiation comprises a hollow housing with an aperture, the housing being generally opaque to the radiation utilized. Mounted to the interior surfaces of the housing are radiation sources that produce radiation when powered. In operation, multiple objects to be sanitized are placed within the interior and the radiation sources powered, thereby sanitizing by radiation any pathogens present on the objects be irradiated. An easily adjustable shelving system that is substantially non-opaque to the radiation utilized, such as wire shelving with minimal opaque surfaces, may be used to support the objects to be sanitized. Depending on size, the portable box allows for multiple objects to be sanitized at the same time. The sanitizer in certain embodiments includes a plurality of UVC radiation sources mounted in the interior of the housing so as to surround the object to be sanitized on multiple sides.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the invention relate to portable devises for irradiatingand sanitizing the outer wrappings or packaging of groceries, winebottles, cardboard boxes, or other objects while in transit from agrocery store or other location to home in a safe and controlledenvironment. Embodiments of the present invention relate tosterilization, e.g., using UVC radiation, ozone, etc., and, moreparticularly, to the use of such sterilization in both fixed andportable box-type sanitizers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In general, pathogens such as bacteria and viruses are everywhere withinour environment, including on, for example, door handles, counter tops,shopping cart and basket handles, checkout conveyors, public floors,sidewalks, and in the air. Currently, there exist many solutions forcleaning hands from germs, such as hand sanitizer, wet wipes, etc. Theseproducts may help people who are on the go or who want a quick solutionto cleaning their hands when washing with soap and water is not anoption. It is not, however, feasible nor convenient to use chemicalwipes and/or cleaning solutions on all grocery or product packagingsurfaces that need to be sanitized. And even when more convenientlogistically, it is also time consuming to wipe down every product orobject acquired from a store and then to clean the area where theobjects were placed, such as the kitchen countertop or floor.

Disinfection from germs or other pathogens from grocery packaging orother objects is generally done using sanitizer, wet wipes, soap and hotwater, bleach or bleach equivalent and similar products that require aconsumer to spend time carefully wiping or washing and drying packagingof each item, placing the package from a contaminated surface to a cleansurface, repeating the process for multiple items, cleaning thecontaminated surface on which the packages were originally placed andstoring the cleaned and wiped packages in their intended location suchas the refrigerator or pantry. Some packaged items lend themselves wellto wiping or washing (e.g., milk bottle) while others do not (e.g.,cereal box or bread in paper packaging). This is also a time consuming,imperfect, and tedious process especially when done by a singleindividual without the assistance of a second “clean” person to processthe cleaned items efficiently.

Aside from chemical wipes and other cleaning solutions, short-wavelengthultraviolet (UVC) light is a proven and effective way to removebacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. UVC sanitizers are well knownfor use in sterilizing all manner of objects including contact lenses,combs, cell phones, safety goggles and other small items. Often only asingle source of radiation is employed and, as such, there are oftenareas on an object to be sanitized that are shadowed from the UVCradiation produced from the single source. Current UVC options forremoving germs/bacteria are often expensive and are not readilyaccessible to the average consumer and/or often have a singular specificuse. Furthermore, there are risks with UVC light. For example, UVC lightmay cause skin cancer and/or cataracts when exposed to the user.Therefore, a need exists for a device that is safe for humans and may beused to sanitize surfaces, such as grocery packaging, in a quick, easy,safe manner, to eliminate pathogens in a form factor that is readilyavailable and accessible for everyday use by the average consumer.

In light of the aforementioned drawbacks and limitations, there exists aneed for a portable or mobile device for use in a vehicle, which mayalso be fixed at a residence, for providing quick and safe sterilizationof outer wrappings or packaging of groceries, wine bottles, cardboardboxes, or other objects while in transit from the point of acquisitionof said objects to the home with minimal activity involved by the user.Such devices may advantageously be used to substantially sanitizemultiple objects at the same time. Devices that satisfy this unmet needmay further use minimal irradiation or sterilization to provide a quickand effective method for preventing the spread of viruses, bacteria orother pathogens without endangering the safety of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for thequick, safe, and portable sterilization of the outer wrappings orpackaging of groceries, wine bottles, cardboard boxes, or other objectsthat may be deployed for use within the trunk of a vehicle. Fixeddeployments are also contemplated for home use. The systems and methodsfor sanitizing disclosed herein may be used on the outer wrappings orpackaging of groceries, wine bottles, cardboard boxes, or other objectsafter they have been on the shelves of a grocery store, stocked by storeemployees and exposed to airborne pathogens from other customers, agrocery cart or basket, the grocery conveyor belt, checkout clerk, etc.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed towards abox-type-portable sanitizer using C-band Ultra-Violet (100-280 nm)(“UVC”) radiation that comprises a hollow rectangular box that defines avolume with a door on one end such as the top. The box may comprisehollow ¼ inch construction of all walls, including the top and bottom.Other embodiments comprise solid wall construction without any space orgap between inner and outer walls. Mounted facing the interior volume ofthe box are, according to one embodiment, a plurality of strategicallyplaced 275 nm UVC LED SMD 3535 Deep LED Diode UV Chip or similar UVCradiation LEDs, UVC radiation bulbs, or similar UVC lightings that, whenpowered, are each operative to generate UVC radiation. Such UVC lightsmay be mounted between the walls of the box such that a given UVC lightemits UVC radiation through one or more openings in the interior wall ofthe box. Affixed to the bottom of the box may be a plurality of wheelsto allow for easy movement of the sanitizing box. Alternatively, suchwheels may be housed within the bottom interior wall (or a cavity formedtherethrough or therein) for deployment by the user as needed, e.g.,“pop out” wheels.

Shelves may be used within the box to hold items for sterilization apartfrom one another and thereby achieve sterilization of increased surfacearea of the goods. Shelves may comprise minimally opaque components forplacement within the volume that the interior of the box defines intowhich a user may locate an object(s) to be irradiated and sanitized.According to some embodiments, the upper shelves are height adjustablewith an easy click-in/rail system basket design. In operation, an object(or multiple objects) to be irradiated and sanitized may be placedinside the box, the door closed, and the lights powered for one or moreperiods of time such that any pathogens present on the object(s) to besanitized are irradiated by the UVC radiation. Shelves with minimalopaque structures are used to support the object(s) to be sanitized andseparate the object(s) to be sanitized from the lamps, as well as eachother, thereby allowing the UVC radiation to pass between and fullybathe the objects. In accordance with mobile embodiments, the device isconfigured to utilize typical 12-volt DC power that can be obtained by,e.g., (i) plugging into a cigarette lighter/USB adapter of a vehicletrunk or interior of vehicle through a trunk pass through; (ii) pluggedinto an external battery power attachment; (iii) a wall outlet; and/or(iv) hard wired into a vehicle electric system, etc.

According to one embodiment, a sanitizer using radiation comprises ahollow housing with an aperture, the housing being generally opaque tothe radiation utilized. Mounted to the interior surfaces of the housingare radiation sources that produce radiation when powered. In operation,multiple objects to be sanitized are placed within the interior and theradiation sources powered, thereby sanitizing by radiation any pathogenspresent on the objects be irradiated. An easily adjustable shelvingsystem that is substantially non-opaque to the radiation utilized, suchas wire shelving with minimal opaque surfaces, may be used to supportthe objects to be sanitized. Depending on size, the portable box allowsfor multiple objects to be sanitized at the same time. The sanitizer incertain embodiments includes a plurality of UVC radiation sourcesmounted in the interior of the housing so as to surround the object tobe sanitized on multiple sides.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the systemcomprises a 12-volt DC powered, portable opaque box that defines aninterior volume to receive groceries or other objects. Positioned on theinterior of the box and operative to irradiate objects contained withinthe interior volume of the portable opaque box are one or moreultraviolet lights, which according to one embodiment are germicidal 275nm UVC LED SMD 3535 Deep LED Diode UV Chips or similar UVC radiationLEDs, UVC radiation bulbs, or similar UVC lightings that properly allowthe UVC light wavelengths to reach the outer surfaces of the objects formaximum germicidal effectiveness. A number of shelves or trays aredisposed within the volume to as to support the items for sterilization,for example, one (1) full size, removable, thin yet durable,easy-to-clean shelf (such as epoxy-coated steel or other non-corrosiveUVC/ozone stable materials) with a minimal amount of opaque coverage ina pattern for maximum exposure of the objects to UVC light on the bottomof the box set at specified height with legs and handles and two (2)half size, removable, adjustable, thin yet durable, easy-to-cleanshelves (such as epoxy-coated steel or non-corrosive UVC/ozone stablematerials) with a minimal amount of opaque coverage in a pattern formaximum exposure of objects to UVC light. Embodiments further comprise atimer and safety mechanism (such a as magnetic switch that must indicateclosure of a lid to the box prior to and during operation) to ensure thedevice is not operational unless the device is securely closed. Acontrol board with a timer display and software is deployed to controlthe time of use for maximum effectiveness and safety cut off control.

According to still further embodiments of the present invention, thesystem comprises a 12-volt DC powered, portable opaque box, e.g.,constructed of HDPE or other UVC/ozone stable material, to receive andstrategically position groceries or other objects within the main bodyof the portable opaque box. Within the interior of the box are one ormore 12V 10 g/h ceramic Ozone generator(s), e.g., located at the bottomof the box, to allow air sterilization and germicidal action to reachthe outer surfaces of the packaging and therefore provide maximumgermicidal effectiveness. According to certain embodiments, containedwithin the volume are one (1) full size, removable, thin yet durable,easy-to-clean, shelf with a minimal amount of opaque coverage in apattern for maximum exposure of objects to ozone and set at specifiedheight with legs and handles, and two (2) half size, removable,adjustable, durable, easy-to-clean, shelves with a minimal amount ofopaque coverage in a pattern for maximum exposure of objects to ozone. Atimer and safety mechanism to ensure the device is not operationalunless the device is securely closed. A control board with a timerdisplay and software is deployed to control the ozone generation time ofuse for maximum effectiveness and in accordance with any proscribedsafety requirements.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method ofirradiating and sanitizing the outer wrappings or packaging ofgroceries, wine bottles, cardboard boxes, or other objects over a periodof time comprises the steps of: placing the objects inside the portableopaque box, which may be kept inside a vehicle trunk or at a fixedlocation, on shelves in a configuration that allow for the irradiatingagent to come into contact with surfaces of the objects; engaging asafety switch to ensure operation only while the box is securely closed,and setting a time to control the amount of time over which the objectsin the portable opaque box are irradiated.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there isprovided a sanitizer apparatus. The sanitizer comprises a hollowrectangular box, which may be made from ¼ inch diameter sealed walls,defining an interior having six surfaces covered in a material that isopaque to UVC radiation to the outside of the box and may reflect UVClight back into the interior of the box and a door providing are-sealable closure for an access aperture in one of said six surfaces.The aperture allows for placement of multiple objects to be sanitizedwithin the interior. A bottom UVC radiation source may be mounted facingthe interior of the box in said interior of said housing with a supportstructure of set and/or adjustable shelves mounted in said interior ofsaid housing above said bottom UVC radiation sources, said supportstructure provided to support said objects to be irradiated andsanitized. A plurality of UVC radiation sources may be positioned andmounted in the interior of the box so as to be facing the interior ofthe box, irradiating, and surrounding said objects in UVC light forsanitization. Such UVC radiation sources may be placed in a space thatmay exist in a space between the walls comprising the box with the UVCradiation source positioned through said spaces.

According to still further embodiments of the present invention, themethod of irradiating and sanitizing the outer wrappings or packaging ofgroceries, wine bottles, cardboard boxes, or other objects over a periodof time comprises the steps of: placing the objects inside the portableopaque box, which is kept inside a vehicle trunk or at a fixed location,on shelves in a configuration that allow for ozone to come into contactwith surfaces of the objects; engaging a safety switch to ensureoperation only while the box is securely closed, and setting a time tocontrol the amount of time over which the objects in the portable opaquebox are exposed to an ozone generation source. The method may furthercomprise locking the box for a period of time subsequent to operation ofthe ozone generation source so as to provide sufficient disinfecting ofthe objects contained therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a portable sanitizingbox system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a partially constructed perspective view of aportable sanitizing box system in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a closed portable sanitizingbox system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the shelf assembly for aportable sanitizing box system in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a portable sanitizing box disposedwithin the trunk of a vehicle in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Throughout the present specification, the technical terms andabbreviations are to be interpreted in the broadest sense of therespective terms, and include all similar items in the field known byother terms, as may be clear to persons skilled in art. Restriction orlimitation if any referred to in the specification, is solely by way ofexample and for understanding the present invention. Also, there is nostringent rule as far as the visual layout of the apparatus isconcerned. While the drawings display the different embodiment, theinvention would cover all other variants that seek to achieve the sameobject as that of the present invention.

In different exemplary embodiments, the systems and methods describedherein are directed towards portable devices and methods for providingsanitization while in transit or at home of the outer wrappings orpackaging of groceries, wine bottles, cardboard boxes, or other objects.The process of disinfecting objects with UVC light requires that theobject be exposed to the correct wavelength of UVC light for a period oftime. The interior of a vehicle trunk in conjunction with the portablebox set forth herein, provides an excellent platform through which toaccomplish the disinfection process while completing point-to-pointtravel (or stationary if additional items need to be disinfected afterthe completion of disinfecting a first batch). The interior of the homeor garage is an acceptable location for the device as well. 12-volt DCpower is supplied via a vehicle charger, e.g., cigarette to USB adapter,an external battery supply, a hard-wired adapter kit for the vehicle ora regular power plug may suffice for providing power to the essentialcomponents as explained in connection with the exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a sanitization box in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention that is operative tosanitize the outer wrappings or packaging of groceries, wine bottles,cardboard boxes, or other objects. Such sanitization, as is explained ingreater detail herein, can be provided by a number of mechanismsincluding, but not limited to, UVC sterilization, ozone sterilization,etc. The sanitizing box in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1comprises a housing having left and right sides, front and back sides,and top and bottom sides, thereby forming an opaque box 100. Accordingto one embodiment, the box 100 is constructed of hollow ¼ inch wallsmade of High-density polyethylene (“HDPE”) or other similar materialthat is opaque to UVC radiation and UVC stable. Other embodimentscomprise solid wall construction without any space or gap between innerand outer walls. Advantageously, the material may be coated with anadhesive and a UVC reflective material applied to the inside surface.

The box 100 may be sized so as to accommodate multiple packages or otheritems by receiving them through a top removable door 108, which may beconfigured with side indentations 110 to allow for easy lifting andaccess to the interior volume 102 of the box 100. The interior volume102 of the box 100 may be outfitted with one or more shelves 104, 106Aand 106B that may be removable and adjustable and may further besubstantially UVC transparent. Also, embodiments allow for heightadjustment by providing a rail system 112 for certain shelves so as toaccommodate certain objects based on surface area to be irradiated andsanitized, yet optimized to allow any given sanitization agent, e.g.,UVC light, ozone, etc., to achieve contact with the maximum amount ofsurface area.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the box 100 is compact such thatit can fit easily inside the trunk of an average vehicle. Alternativeembodiments are directed towards larger sizes for crossover, SUV, orhome use, as well as the use of a side opening door rather than topopening door. The opaque box 100 with its top door 108 creates a closedenvironment in which the objects can be sanitized inside a normalvehicle trunk, for example, through the application of UVC light orozone. The box 100 may house all the major components of the sanitizingsystem, although embodiments that distribute certain subsystems outsidethe box 100 are contemplated as falling within the scope of the presentinvention.

To control operation of the sanitization mechanism, the box 100implements electronics 114 that include a timer mechanism that controlstiming of the release and distribution of sanitizing agent within thebox. In one embodiment, electronics 114 further comprise a controlmodule in communication with the timer such that for the duration of thetimer counting down to a zero time the control module executes programcode, which may be embedded code, to control operation of an array of275 nm UVC LED SMD 3535 Deep LED Diode UV Chips, UVC radiation LEDs, UVCradiation bulbs, or similar UVC lightings 116 that are disposed withinthe interior volume of the box, which may comprise disposing one or morelights on the door 108 of the box 100. The UVC LEDs 116 may,alternatively comprise cold cathode UVC germicidal lamps with optionalozone lamps (not shown) or any other suitable unbreakable UVC lamps.Similarly, where the sanitizing agent is ozone, the control moduleexecutes program code to control operation of, e.g., a 12V 10 g/hceramic ozone generator.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the portabledisinfection box 100 as depicted in FIG. 1 comprises a set of no lessthan sixteen (16) 275 nm UVC LED SMD 3535 Deep LED Diode UV Chips, UVCradiation LEDs, UVC radiation bulbs, or similar UVC lightings 116, whichare placed at periodic locations on each internal surface of the box100. In certain embodiments, such array of UVC LED lights 116 aremounted between the opaque walls of the box 100 and facing the interiorthrough corresponding openings so as to allow the lights to irradiatethe objects on the interior 102. UVC reflective material may be used tocover the interior 102 walls of the opaque box 100 and serve as an aidto the dispersal of the UVC radiation within the box 100. In oneembodiment of the present invention, the UVC reflective material ispolished aluminum diamond plate or UVC reflective coating identified inU.S. Pat. No. 9,657,177, which is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety, to reflect any UVC radiation that reaches an interiorsurface 102 of the box 100 back toward the object to be sanitized. Aswill be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, with these orother highly-reflective interior surfaces, the UVC LEDs 116 need notnecessarily be mounted proximate to all six interior surfaces of thesanitizer 100 and, instead, a fewer number interior surfaces maysuffice. The UVC radiation, coupled with structural environment insidethe apparatus, thus promotes germicidal action by eliminating virusesand other pathogens through irradiation.

The use of shelving 104, 106A and 106B, by various embodiments of theinvention helps promote such germicidal activity. For example, theembodiment of FIG. 1 comprises one (1) lower 104 and two (2) uppershelves or racks 106A and 106B for holding objects to be sanitized. Thelower shelf 104 may be supported by feet at a specified height, as wellas be removable with handles for easy clean up. In the presentembodiment, the upper two shelves 106A and 106B are half the size of thebottom shelf 104 with a rail/basket design 112 to keep the objectscontained. Each basket is attached to a set of adjustable rails 112 withan easy clip in system that locks in place when desired height isreached—this provides stability and allows for upward adjustment orremoval with an upward pull motion. A given set of rails 112 areembedded into the box 100 and firmly supported to handle the weight ofthe objects affixed to them.

The shelves 104, 106A and 106B, may be comprised of thin metal wiredesign with minimum opaque elements that allows for maximum exposure ofthe grocery packaging or other objects to the UVC light wavelengths.While there is no limit to the size and number of objects that can beplaced in the box 100 other than the maximum volume of the box interior102 and proper closing of the lid 108, it is important to note that inorder to properly disinfect the packaging or outer wrapper of a givenobject, such packaging or outer wrapper needs to be exposed to thedisinfectant, e.g., UVC light or ozone. Accordingly, it is important forthe object to be located on the provided shelves 104, 106A and 106B withspace between them and not stacked on top of each other, which has theundesirable effect of preventing surfaces from achieving sufficientexposure to the disinfectant.

As further illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the box 100comprises a door 108, which here is a top door, although variousembodiments may utilize other door configurations. The door 108comprises a safety mechanism and may also implement a lock that securesthe box 100 during sanitization. The safety mechanism 118A and 118B maybe one or more safety contacts/switches 118A in communication withcorresponding contacts 118B on the box 100 that together are utilized toensure a closed environment respectively for the safe operation of thedevice. Although embodiments allow for the door 108 to be fullyremovable for ease of shelf 104, 106A and 106B adjustment and placementof objects into the box 100, the device is not operable without the door108 being fully closed. If the door 108 is opened when the sanitizer isin use, i.e., when the UVC LEDs 116 are receiving power from a powersource 120, the door safety mechanism 118A and 118B may interrupt power120 to the UVC LEDs 116. This is beneficial, since it is known thataccidental exposure to UVC radiation can cause corneal or other severeburns. The electronic components described herein may be disposed withinan electronic compartment in the door 108 that is provided with anaccess door to provide for maintenance.

An optional component for inclusion as part of the sanitization box 100is the use of a lamp monitor (not pictured) that measures the output ofUVC lights that might be used for sterilization. During exposure, thelamp monitor may measure and provide an indication to the user of thepower output of the UVC LEDs 116. This feature may be useful where thepower output of the UVC LEDs 116 diminishes. As the power output of theUVC lamps 116 diminish, it is necessary to increase the duration ofexposure of an object to be sanitized to radiation from the UVC LEDs 116to properly sanitize the object. Consequently, according to theindication of power output provided by the lamp monitor, the operatormay set the timer appropriately for the next set of objects to besanitized. A person of ordinary skill in the art should be able todetermine a necessary duration of radiation from the amount of radiationper unit time indicated by the lamp monitor and the desired amount ofradiation to which is it is desired to expose the objects to besanitized. Additionally, the lamp monitor may be configured to indicatewhen the power output of the UVC lamps 116 has diminished to a levelbelow a predetermined threshold. Such an indication may be interpretedas a sign that one or more of the UVC lamps need to be changed.

By way of exemplary operation when utilizing UVC radiation, objects tobe sanitized is placed in the interior 102 of the sanitizer box 100. Thetop door 108 is closed, the UVC LEDs 116 are switched on, and theobjects to be sanitized are bathed in UVC radiation. Due to theplacement of UVC LEDs 116 on many, if not all, of the interior 102 sidesof the sanitizer box 100, very little of the surface area of the objectsto be sanitized are shadowed from the UVC radiation. Additionally, theobjects to be sanitized are supported upon the specially locatedshelves, 104, 106A and 106B, which are designed to engage in minimalblockage of the UVC radiation, and, therefore, do not significantlyshadow the objects to be sanitized from the UVC radiation.

By way of further description of the exemplary operation, an operator ofthe sanitizer box 100 opens a door 108 to the box 100, which maycomprise unlocking a door lock that is operative to secure the door 108and opens the sanitizer box 100 to expose the interior volume thereof102. The operator may place objects to be sanitized upon the bottomshelf 104 with space between the objects, adjusting the top shelves,106A and 106B, and placing the objects thereon in a desiredconfiguration, followed by securing a door lock when present. Theoperator may then use the electronics 114, specifically the timer, toselect a desired duration of exposure and activate master power 120 topower the sanitizing mechanism, e.g., UVC LEDs or ozone generator. Whenthe selected duration of exposure expires, the master power 120 may beautomatically powered off. The user may then open the door 108 to exposeand remove the objects, which may now be considered to be sanitized.

Thus the individual components, as explained above in connection withthe various exemplary embodiments, tend to perform their own specificfunction for the sanitization process that, in combination with theportable sanitization box 100, creates a micro-environment inside aregular vehicle trunk, SUV, crossover, or other vehicle, home or otherlocation, to sanitize multiple objects at the same time in a very easy,safe and convenient manner Additionally, those skilled in the art willunderstand that the shape of the housing is not necessarily limited tothat of a rectangular box. Other shapes, such as spherical and conical,may also be useful in certain applications.

FIG. 2 illustrates a partially constructed perspective view of aportable sanitizing box 100 in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. The view of FIG. 2 presents the shelves 104, 106A and106B, illustrated in FIG. 1 set into the interior volume 102 of the box100, aligned therein through the use of the rails 112, the set of whichmaintain alignment of the shelves 104, 106A and 106B within the interiorvolume 102 of the box 100. FIG. 3 continues the evolution begun in FIGS.1 and 2 by illustrating a perspective view of a closed portablesanitizing box 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. When closed, the box 100 meets flush with the door 108 toseal the interior volume of the box and prevent the leakage of UVClight, ozone, or other sanitizing agent from escaping the interiorvolume of the box 100. When unlocked, the door 108 may be opened throughuse of the side indentations 110, which provide a convenient point forthe operator to grip the door for opening and exposure of objects in theinterior volume.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the shelf assembly for aportable sanitizing box system in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. In particular, the embodiment of FIG. 4 presents theadjustable locking system that the shelves 106A/106B may employ tomaintain a specific height that the operator desires, which is shown indetail as a top-down view 406 and cross-sectional view 408. When anoperator places a given shelf in the sterilization box, he or she alignsone or more shelf locks 402 into corresponding tracks 112 that may beaffixed to the inner walls of the sterilization box. The exemplary shelflock 402 is built around the framework of the shelves 106A/106B, in thisinstance built around the wire framework that comprises the shelves106A/106B. In this exemplary configuration, the locking mechanism is setat a distance between the cross (center of the radius) and centerrotation that is slightly bigger than the distance between the watt ofthe channel and the eccentric in the vertical position. An operatormoves the shelf-lock mechanism lever 410 into the locked position byrotating it down (or away from the wall) and having it 412 engage thewall. In the unlocked position, the shelf lock swivels freely with theshelf lock 402 hanging in a vertical position because it is heavier onthe bottom.

In operation, the user positions the shelves 106A/106B in thecorresponding rails 112 starting at the top opening and lowers it toreach the desired height location. When the desired height is reached,the user manually rotates the shelf lock 402 down to secure the shelf106A/106B in place against the wall of the rail 112. The shelf-lockmechanism 402 may engage the wall of the rail and locks into place byreducing the radius, which serves to hold the shelves 106A/106B inplace. To raise or remove the shelf 106A/106B, the user lifts the shelf106A/106B with the handles and releases the shelf-lock mechanism 402 bythe upward friction motion. This allows the user to quickly remove theshelf without having to manually unlock the shelf-lock mechanism.

As discussed herein, embodiments of the invention are formed fordisposal within or integration with the trunk 508 of a vehicle. FIG. 5presents a vehicle 504, such as car, truck, SUV, or other vehicle, withan exemplary sanitation box 502 in accordance with the variousembodiments of the invention disposed in its trunk 508. The sanitationbox 502 may be wired 506 into the power system of the vehicle, which maybe configured to provide power to the sanitation box 502 with or withoutthe vehicle 504 being in operation. Power may alternatively be suppliedby external batteries or other power source. When the trunk door 510 isclosed, the sanitation box 502 is securely enclosed within the vehicle504 and is therefore safe from tampering. Embodiment also comprise thesanitation box 502 being affixed to a floor of the trunk 508 of thevehicle 504, as well as unaffixed and removeable. When removeable, thewire 506 to the vehicle power system, when present, may comprise a plugor similar removeable connector.

FIGS. 1 through 5 are conceptual illustrations allowing for anexplanation of the present invention. Those of skill in the art shouldunderstand that various aspects of the embodiments of the presentinvention could be implemented using different materials, fasteners, andminor design modifications. Notably, the figures and examples above arenot meant to limit the scope of the present invention to a singleembodiment, as other embodiments are possible by way of interchange ofsome or all of the described or illustrated elements. Moreover, wherecertain elements of the present invention can be partially or fullyimplemented using known components, only those portions of such knowncomponents that are necessary for an understanding of the presentinvention are described, and detailed descriptions of other portions ofsuch known components are omitted so as not to obscure the invention.

In the present specification, an embodiment showing a singular componentshould not necessarily be limited to other embodiments including aplurality of the same component, and vice-versa, unless explicitlystated otherwise herein. Moreover, applicants do not intend for any termin the specification or claims to be ascribed an uncommon or specialmeaning unless explicitly set forth as such. Further, the presentinvention encompasses present and future known equivalents to the knowncomponents referred to herein by way of illustration.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments, which may betaken alone or in combination, will so fully reveal the general natureof the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skillof the relevant art(s) (including the contents of the documents citedand incorporated by reference herein), readily modify and/or adapt forvarious applications such specific embodiments, without undueexperimentation, without departing from the general concept of thepresent invention. Such adaptations and modifications are thereforeintended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of thedisclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presentedherein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminologyherein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, suchthat the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is tobe interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings andguidance presented herein, in combination with the knowledge of oneskilled in the relevant art(s).

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample, and not limitation. It would be apparent to one skilled in therelevant art(s) that various changes in form and detail could be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of theabove-described exemplary embodiments, but instead should be definedonly in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A box-type sanitizer for use in a trunk of avehicle, the box-type sanitizer comprising: an opaque box with a mainbody that defines an inner space and an opening, the box configured forreceiving and housing one or more objects, one of more sides of theopaque box covered with a UVC reflective material; a power sourceconnection to a power system of the vehicle; a plurality of UVC-emittinglights positioned and mounted between an inner wall of the box and anouter of the box and facing the inner space through openings in theinner wall so as to irradiate the inner space of the main body of thebox at one or more specific intervals, a given one of the plurality ofUVC-emitting lights operative to receive power from the power system andgenerate UVC light; a removable lower shelf with components positionedalong a bottom of the box and two removable adjustable half shelves withcomponents positioned above the removable lower shelf within the mainbody of the box; one or more pair of rails embedded into the opaque boxto maintain alignment of and stability for the removable lower shelf andtwo removable adjustable half shelves; one or more shelf locks disposedon a given one of the removable lower shelf and two removable adjustablehalf shelves that engage a corresponding one of the one or more pair ofrails by rotation down and away from a wall of the opaque box; and asafety device embedded into the box to ensure provision of power fromthe power system to the plurality of UVC-emitting lights only when theopening to the box is securely closed.
 2. The box-type sanitizer ofclaim 1 wherein the plurality of UVC-emitting lights comprise aplurality of LED UVC-emitting lights.
 3. The box-type sanitizer of claim2 wherein the plurality of LED UVC-emitting lights emit UVC light in therange of 100-280 nm.
 4. The box-type sanitizer of claim 3 wherein theplurality of LED UVC-emitting lights comprise a plurality of 275 nm UVCLED SMD 3535 Deep LED lights.
 5. The box-type sanitizer of claim 1wherein the power system provides 12-volt DC power.
 6. The box-typesanitizer of claim 5 wherein the power system receives current from thevehicle.
 7. The box-type sanitizer of claim 1 wherein the box-typesanitizer is removable from the trunk of the vehicle.
 8. The box-typesanitizer of claim 1 wherein the removable lower shelf and the twoadjustable half shelves are constructed of a UVC stable material.
 9. Thebox-type sanitizer of claim 8 wherein the removable lower shelf and thetwo adjustable half shelves are constructed of epoxy-covered steel.